立法

• Reading: りっぽう
• Romaji: rippou
• Kanji breakdown: 立 (ritsu) — establish, stand; 法 (hou) — law
• Pronunciation: /ɾip.poː/

Meaning

Legislation; lawmaking. The process or act of creating and enacting laws.

A noun and する verb referring to the process of making laws. One of the three branches of government: 立法 (legislative), 行政 (executive), and 司法 (judicial). The 立法府 is the legislature (parliament/congress). In Japan, the National Diet (国会) holds legislative power. A fundamental civics and political term tested in JLPT and used constantly in news about government and policy.

Examples

1. 国会は国の唯一の立法機関である。 The National Diet is the nation's only legislative body.
2. 新しい法律を立法するまでに長い時間がかかった。 It took a long time to pass the new law through legislation.
3. 立法と行政の分離は民主主義の基本だ。 The separation of legislative and executive power is a cornerstone of democracy.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, law, government, civics

Tone: formal

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 立 (ritsu, to establish/stand up) + 法 (hou, law). Together: 'to establish law' — the act of creating and enacting legislation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal